Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - Instruments & Accessories

It started with a simple idea: what if surgery could be less invasive and recovery less painful? Nearly 30 years later, that question still fuels everything we do at Intuitive. As a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive care, our technologies like the da Vinci surgical system and Ion have transformed how care is delivered for millions of patients worldwide.

Were a team of engineers, clinicians, and innovators united by one purpose: to make surgery smarter, safer, and more human. Every day, our work helps care teams perform with greater precision and patients recover faster, improving outcomes around the world.

The problems we solve demand creativity, rigor, and collaboration. The work is challenging, but deeply meaningful because every improvement we make has the potential to change a life.

The Future Forward organization is Intuitive’s advanced concepts group. We explore emerging technologies, prototype next-generation solutions, and build software experiences that shape the future of robotic-assisted surgery.

If you're ready to contribute to something bigger than yourself and help transform the future of healthcare, you'll find your purpose here.

Position Overview:
We are seeking a hands-on, deeply technical individual contributor who delivers complex mechanical design solutions for next-generation surgical robotics instruments platforms. This Senior Mechanical Design Engineer role within our Future Forward team requires strong technical fundamentals, hands-on problem-solving ability, and a collaborative mindset. You will make significant individual contributions across the product lifecycle, from concept generation through human cases, while helping to raise the technical bar of those around you.

Key Responsibilities:
Mechanical System Architecture & Design:

• Work in a cross-functional project team to design and develop robotic surgical instruments.
• Design and develop complex mechanical and electromechanical and robotic systems’ instruments for surgical applications.
• Execute the end-to-end engineering process: translating user requirements and technical specifications into design solutions through concept generation, hands-on prototyping, testing, pre-clinical and verification/validation activities.
• Contribute to sound technology and design decisions, balancing system reliability, manufacturability, risks, and clinical needs.
• Generate and execute test methods to characterize product prototype designs and to determine root cause of design, manufacturing, or material defects. Critically analyze test results and make design changes or recommendations to the design team.
• Generate product requirements and functional specifications that drive product safety, performance, and durability for robotic instruments, subsystems, and systems.
• Provide written protocols, reports, presentations, and perform technical design reviews to solicit feedback on design activities.
• Development and documentation of mechanical design and manufacturing documentation including: inspection procedures, assembly instructions, manufacturing processes, test 2 methods, purchase specifications, BOMs, component / assembly drawings per the company’s operating procedures.
• Create and maintain SolidWorks CAD databases, including assemblies, components, and detailed drawings.

Project & Technical Leadership:

• Actively contribute to multi-disciplinary R&D projects, taking ownership of assigned technical workstreams across the product lifecycle.
• Provide technical guidance and informal mentorship to junior engineers within the team, reviewing technical output and sharing best practices.
• Participate in and lead technical reviews and risk analyses within your area; support regulatory and standards compliance activities.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Work closely with software, electrical, systems, clinical, and manufacturing teams throughout product development.
• Observe clinical procedures and collaborate with clinicians to inform design and use requirements.
• Provide support for pre-clinical and clinical labs.
• Present complex concepts and data clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement:

• Rapidly develop and iterate functional prototypes to evaluate design solutions and validate key technical assumptions.
• Contribute to patent development and IP strategy.
• Observe clinical cases and participate in interviews with clinical experts to inform designs.
• Stay abreast of technological advancements and facilitate knowledge sharing across the team.

Required:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent experience). Advanced degree is a plus.
• A minimum of 6 years designing mechanical engineering products or relevant engineering experience (medical device industry preferred).
• Expertise in the design of high-precision mechanisms, electromechanical systems, and complex tolerance stacks.
• Demonstrated ability to drive new product ideas from concept to launch in regulated environments, with growing ownership and scope.
• Demonstrated understanding of engineering fundamentals, including first-principles analysis, FEA, GD&T (ANSI Y14.5), materials, design for reliability and manufacturability, and statistical analysis.
• Highly proficient in CAD (SolidWorks preferred): complex assemblies, production documentation, and DFM/DFA.
• Proficient with rapid prototyping techniques.
• Track record of strong individual technical contributions and effective collaboration in cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and documentation skills. Able to manage multiple fast-paced projects simultaneously.

Preferred:

• Experience with the full medical device product development process and volume manufacturing.
• Experience with medical devices including FDA QSR 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, IEC 60601, and other related external standards is a strong plus.
• Experience with electromechanical design, including cable driven systems and small mechanisms, is a strong plus (Robotics experience preferred).
• Hands-on experience with robotic system architectures, actuation, kinematics, and sensing.
• Experience in design transfer to manufacturing, including test engineering and service.

Other:
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

Due to the nature of our business and the role, please note that Intuitive and/or your customer(s) may require that you show current proof of vaccination against certain diseases including COVID-19.  Details can vary by role.

Intuitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information or any other status protected under federal, state, or local applicable laws.

Mandatory Notices

U.S. Export Controls Disclaimer:  In accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §743.13(b)), some roles at Intuitive Surgical may be subject to U.S. export controls for prospective employees
who are nationals from countries currently on embargo or sanctions status.

Certain information you provide as part of the application will be used for purposes of determining whether Intuitive Surgical will need to (i) obtain an export license from the U.S. Government on your behalf (note: the government’s licensing process can take 3 to 6+ months) or (ii) implement a Technology Control Plan (“TCP”) (note: typically adds 2 weeks to the hiring process).  

For any Intuitive role subject to export controls, final offers are contingent upon obtaining an approved export license and/or an executed TCP prior to the prospective employee’s
start date, which may or may not be flexible, and within a timeframe that does not unreasonably impede the hiring need. If applicable, candidates will be notified and instructed on any requirements for these purposes. 

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with fair chance laws.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates who do not reside, or plan to reside, in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Tennessee.

This position may be filled at a different job level than listed here depending on
business need and/or on the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills.
Compensation will be based primarily on the job level at which the role is filled and the
candidate’s qualifications, consistent with applicable law.

We provide market-competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, benefits, and equity. It would not be typical for someone to be hired at the top end of range for the role, as actual pay will be determined based on several factors, including experience, skills, and qualifications. The target compensation ranges are listed.

Accommodation & Accessibility Notice:

Intuitive is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation during any part of the application or interview process, please contact People Services at [email protected].